The Carman Family Deaths: Did Nathan Carman Kill His Family? The True Story Behind the Tragedy

The story of the Carman family is one of the most disturbing and perplexing true-crime cases in recent American history. Wrapped in wealth, secrecy, inheritance battles, mysterious deaths, and unanswered questions, the case unfolds like a chilling thriller—one that blends the suspense of Succession with the grim unraveling of True Detective. The new documentary, The Carman Family Deaths, revisits the events that shattered a powerful family and led to the arrest of a son accused of killing both his mother and his millionaire grandfather. In this comprehensive investigation, we explore every major detail, every contradiction, and every unresolved thread that continues to haunt this case.

The Carman Family Deaths: The Wealthy Carman–Chakalos Dynasty and the Tragedy That Followed

At the center of this mystery is the Chakalos family, a prosperous dynasty built by real-estate developer John Chakalos, whose multimillion-dollar fortune was intended to provide comfort and stability for his children and grandchildren. Instead, it became the backdrop for betrayal, conflict, and suspicion.

Among his descendants was Linda Carman, one of John’s daughters, and her only child, Nathan Carman—a boy described as intelligent, socially withdrawn, and later diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. What began as a close mother-son relationship slowly transformed into something darker as Nathan grew older and their personal struggles escalated.

The Disappearance of Linda Carman: What Really Happened at Sea?

A Routine Trip Turns Into a Nightmare

On September 17, 2016, Linda and Nathan embarked on what should have been a peaceful overnight fishing trip from South Kingstown, Rhode Island. The pair frequently went on such outings, and nothing seemed unusual when they departed the marina in Nathan’s boat, the Chicken Pox.

But by the next day, Linda’s friends became concerned—they could not reach her by phone. Hours turned into days, and on September 18, the U.S. Coast Guard launched an urgent search. Despite covering thousands of miles, they found nothing. The search was eventually suspended.

Then, eight days later, something extraordinary happened.

Nathan Carman Found Alive—But Alone

Nathan was discovered drifting alone in an inflatable life raft, hundreds of miles from where the boat was believed to have sunk. He told authorities that a sudden “mechanical failure” caused the boat to take on water and sink rapidly.

According to Nathan:

• The boat began filling with water unexpectedly.
• In the chaos, he became separated from Linda.
• He attempted to locate her using an emergency whistle.
• He eventually abandoned the sinking vessel and climbed into the life raft.

But Linda was never seen again.

Inconsistencies That Raised Serious Doubts

Soon after Nathan’s rescue, investigators began piecing together the timeline—and the story stopped making sense.

Here’s what raised red flags:

• Experts found that Nathan had removed key flotation elements from the boat, making it more likely to sink.
• The location where he was found did not match ocean current patterns, contradicting his story.
• His physical condition at rescue did not align with someone who survived alone at sea for a week.
• He collected insurance money shortly after the incident.

These mounting inconsistencies transformed what seemed like a tragic accident into a potential premeditated crime.

The Murder of John Chakalos: A Cold Case Reopened

Before Linda’s disappearance, another shocking event rocked the Chakalos family—the unsolved murder of patriarch John Chakalos.

The Mysterious Death of a Billionaire Builder

On December 20, 2013, 87-year-old John Chakalos was found dead in his Windsor, Connecticut home. He had been shot multiple times while sleeping in his bed.

Police immediately questioned his heirs, including Linda and Nathan.

Evidence soon pointed toward Nathan:

• He had purchased a rifle compatible with the murder weapon just days before the killing.
• He was the last known person to see his grandfather alive.
• He destroyed his hard drive and GPS shortly after the murder.
• He could not account for a crucial hour on the night of the killing.

Despite the alarming evidence, authorities lacked enough direct proof to file murder charges. The case went cold.

Then, three years later, after Linda vanished at sea, the investigation resurfaced with renewed urgency.

The Arrest of Nathan Carman: A Family’s Nightmare Comes Full Circle

As suspicions grew around Linda’s disappearance, the FBI and state investigators began constructing a broader narrative—a pattern suggesting Nathan may have killed both his mother and grandfather, possibly to secure a larger share of the family’s multimillion-dollar trust.

Nathan Charged With Murdering His Mother

In May 2022, Nathan was arrested and indicted for:

• Murder on the high seas (relating to Linda’s disappearance)
• Fraud (for insurance claims involving the boat)

While he was never officially charged with killing his grandfather, investigators believed the two crimes were connected.

Federal prosecutors alleged that Nathan:

• Sabotaged his boat to sink intentionally.
• Killed his mother for financial gain.
• Previously murdered his grandfather in 2013.

Nathan, however, insisted he was innocent until the end.

How Did Nathan Carman Die? A Final Twist

In a shocking turn of events, Nathan never faced trial. On June 15, 2023, he was found unresponsive in his cell at the Wyatt Detention Facility.

He died a few hours later, and the death was ruled a suicide.

With his passing, all charges were dropped, and the full truth behind the murders may never be proven in court. However, many members of the Carman–Chakalos family remain convinced that Nathan was involved in both deaths.

Unanswered Questions That Still Haunt the Case

Even with extensive investigations, documentaries, and countless interviews, several questions remain unanswered:

• Was the boat intentionally sabotaged?
• What truly happened during those final moments with Linda at sea?
• Was the murder of John Chakalos part of a larger plan?
• Did Nathan act alone—or was there more to the family conflict?
• Why were key pieces of evidence destroyed?

The documentary The Carman Family Deaths attempts to shine light on these chilling questions, but the tragic truth may remain buried with Nathan.

Conclusion: A Family Torn Apart With No Clear Resolution

The Carman case is a chilling example of how wealth, secrecy, and personal struggles can culminate in unthinkable tragedy. Whether Nathan Carman was truly responsible for the deaths of his mother and grandfather may never be legally confirmed, but the shadows surrounding these events continue to echo through the family’s history.

This story remains one of the most unsettling unresolved mysteries in true-crime history—a haunting reminder that sometimes, even with evidence, answers remain forever out of reach.